Last modified: 2012-03-23
Abstract
Waterjet is a versatile non-contact powerful tool enabling its use for a variety of applications in many fields.
With reference to marine engineering some important operations can be carried out with this technology that is safe, flexible, environmentally friendly and can be used either under open air or submerged conditions.
Abrasive suspension jet containing no air is suitable for cutting steel even at depths using moderate pressure and high flow rate, offering a very interesting solution for dismantling marine structures. Due to spark-less operation it can be used even in explosive environment.
Concerning cleaning and de-fouling the marine industry, faced with severe regulations, is addressing to a safe and healthy process for in shipyards or at sea, where high pressure plain waterjet features a superior performance and lower cost over traditional competitors. Results can be even improved by exploiting cavitation phenomena that can be generated under special conditions.
Finally waterjet can provide indirect benefits to the nautical sector because of its capability of producing a rubber product resulting from the disintegration of end-of-use car tires according to a special technology developed at the University of Cagliari. This recycled rubber, characterised by a very fine size range and a high degree of de-vulcanisation is suitable for providing highly effective non skid coatings, with a mild to aggressive texture for maximum safety and traction on a wide range of marine surfaces.
The paper will describe the state of art on the application of waterjet in marine engineering with particular emphasis on the work carried out at UNICA’s Laboratories